Ascent of Mount Dana on 1997-08-30

Ascent Trip Report

Named by the Whitney Survey in 1863 for James Dwight Dana (1813-1895), professor of natural history and geology at Yale University. First ascended by J.D. Whitney, W.H. Brewer and Charles F. Hoffmann on June 28, 1863. (Browning, p. 51)

The peak is on the eastern boundary of Yosemite National Park and the Ansel Adams Wilderness of the Inyo National Forest. The peak is normally dayhiked and no permits are needed for this. The Tioga Pass road is closed in winter.

Mount Dana is usually climbed as a dayhike from the east entrance station of Yosemite National Park at Tioga Pass. One can park just east of the entrance and avoid the $20.00 entry fee if coming from the east. The trail starts south of the toll booth (not signed) and switchbacks up the north side of the mountain. After about 1 1/4 hours reach a cairn on the plateau just east of point 11,409 ft. shown on the topo map. Then the trail may be harder to follow on the rocky north slopes. There are occasional ducks and sections of a worn use trail as you make your way up the slope. The hike takes from 2 1/2 to 3 hours for the ascent and is about 3.5 miles one-way with a gain of 3100 ft. Mount Gibbs is the first prominent peak to the south. 9/97 RLC